Circulated Daily To 90 Per Cent Of Local Residents THI f £ Jiattalion Published By A&M Students For 75 Years PUBLISHED DAILY IN THE INTEREST OF A GREATER A&M COLLEGE Number 204: Volume 53 COLLEGE STATION (Aggieland), TEXAS, TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 1954 Price 5 Cents HAIL THE KING—Viv Wiening as Oedipus Rex, highlights the Aggie Players produc tion of the Greek play. The play will be given tonight and tomorrow night in the Memorial Student Center ballroom. Three More Performances Oedipus Rules in Ballroom Uy JOHN AKARD Battalion Staff Writer Oedipus ruled in the ball room of the MSC last night, but not for Jong. “Oedipus Ilex,” the Greek tragedy by Sophocles was Unfolded in a creditable manner by the Ag gie Players. “Oedipus Rex,” the second pro- iluction of the year by the players, will be presented again tonight and Wednesday night at 8:15. A mati nee will be held at 3:15 today. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Oedipus, king of Thebes, rules until he finds out that, by a system of mistakes, he has killed his fa ther and married his mother. His mother-wife hangs herself and Oedipus, in remorse for his deeds, Filing Begins Today For Class Offices Filing began today in the office of student activities for the class election. The filing will continue until Tuesday and the election will be held April d. The present senior class will elect a class agent and an assistant class agent. No requirements are necessary to file for these offices. The junior, sophomore and fresh- ment classes will elect eight of ficers each. Either military or non military students may file. Those filing must be academically class ified with their class at the time Of the election and must have a 1.0 grade point ratio. The class of ’55 will also elect a fitudent entertainment manager and two yell leaders. The class of ’56 Ivill also elect two yell leaders. Two Memorial Student Center council members will be chosen in the election. The student entertainment manager may be either military or non-military. He must have a 1.25 grade point ratio, one years ex- No Change Seen In Ticket Prices Athletic ticket prices for the coming year will remain the same said Barlow (Bones) Irvin, athletic department administrative assist ant. “If the recent proposal of the House Ways and Means committee to reduce ticket taxes from 20 to 10 per cent passes Congress, the Southwest Confei’ence would still have to decide whether to reduce prices,” said Irvin. CAN SIMP CUBE &L.OUCM foEPOEE tue hospital • GETS UlM? A SPINE-TIMCLINC DRAMA. AT A&6r J*VMO POSSIBLE SHOWERS Occasional light rains today with continued cloudiness and possible thunder showers. 1 High yesterday 73. Low this pnorning 65. perience on the student entertain ment staff, and the consent of the director of student activities. The yell leaders may also be mili tary or non-military and must have a grade point ratio of 1.25. The MSC council candidates may file assording to the length of time they have been at A&M. One candi date who has been at A&M less than four semesters, will be elected. The other candidate will be chosen from students who have been here more than four semesters. All other student elected offices will be filled at the general stu dent election next month. Science Meet Scheduled For April 2-3 The Texas Acadamy of Science will meet here April 2 3, Dr. C. C. Doak, head of the biology department, will be coordinator for the meeting. Invitations will be sent to high school science teachers and stu dents in the area, and to faculty and students of all colleges with in a 200-mile radius, Doak said. Approximately 400 visitors are ex pected. The two-day meeting will be divided into three sections; for high school students, college undergrad uates, and graduate students and teachers. “We want high school and college science students to have their day without detracting from a complete and thoi'ough-going program for mature scientists,” Doak said. “We are going all out to make a great occasion for academy ‘juniors’ con sisting of high school students, ‘collegiates’, who are the under graduate college students and graduate students, as well as ma ture scientists. “In addition to programs for each of these groups, there will be a panel discussion, a banquet, field trips, tours of inspection and ex hibits, both commercial and scien tific. A noon picnic will be given for the juniors and collegiates. The progi'am for reporting re search is being organized around three sectional meetings. They are physical and earth sciences, biologi cal sciences, and social and con servation sciences. Charles LaMotte of the Biology Depai'tment is in charge of the collegiate program, and J. G. Pot ter, head of the Physics Depart ment, is in charge of the junior program. puts his eyes out. He is banished from the kingdom by his brother- in-law, Creon, who then becomes king. Vic Wiening trained the chorus as well as playing a convincing Oedipus. He was especially good in the last scene where Oedipus, broken and blind, is banished by Ci'eon. Rick Black probably dis played the easiest manner in his portrayal of Creon. The Greek chorus is a little un familiar to A&M theater goers, but it was well trained and carried out its part admh’ably. Gene Stubblefield did an excel lent job as Tiresias, a fortune tell er, and Mary Mackin seemed very natural in her role as Jocasta, the wife of Oedipus. Raoul Roth and his crew of stage hands did a good job in creating a combination of the Greek amphi theater and the theater-in-the- round. The use of subdued and colored lighting proved very effec tive. The play commanded the atten tion of the spectators for almost an hour and a half. It moved rapidly from one scene to another without a break, building up in the audience a nervous tension. The lack of an intennission was probably the greatest weakness of the production. The players were not aware until the end of the play that the audience was en joying the show. The actors did not have the relaxed feeling that a little applause at intermission would have brought — and they would certainly have gotten the applause. An hour and a half is too long for on the cast to be under the constant strain and too long for an audience to sit com fortably. The actors were not allowed a much deserved curtain call at the end of the play. They seemed most appreciative for those few who went “back stage” after the show to congratulate them. An introduction to the play, writ ten by Dr. T. F. Mayo, is certainly a boon to those who are not fa miliar with the plot or with Greek drama. The play is under the direction of C. K. Esten. Senior Class To Choose Gift In Special Election Tomorrow Manitzas Voted Vice President Of Journalists George Manitzas, s o p h o- more petroleum engineering major, was elected vice-pres ident of the Southwest Jour nalism Congress in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday. Manitzas is city editor of The Battalion. Fifteen A&M students attended the three-day meeting, which dealt with problems of college newspa pers. The Congress voted to form a Committee on Freedom of the Col lege Press, composed of the editors of student newspapers at the 13 member schools of the organiza tion. The committee would assist any member newspaper that had trouble with censorship at its school. The members of the congress felt that such a committee was necessary because several member schools, including A&M, had had censorship trouble during the past year. A&M students who attended the meeting were Bob Alderdice, Wayne Dean, Jim Ashlock, Jerry Wizig, Bill Shepard, Joe Hipp, Roy (Connie) Eckard, Gardner Collins, C. C. (Chuck) Neighbors, Harri Baker, Bob Hendry, Ed Fries, Paul Savage, Bob Boriskie, Jim Collins and Manitzais. Constitution Approved; Goes to Dean of Men The senior class voted last night to select the class gift in a special election Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Memorial Student Center. After considerable discussion on what the class should give to the college, it was decided that an election be held because not enough seniors were present at last night’s meet ing. Suggestions to be voted on Wednesday are a donation to be used for construction of a new wing on the MSC, setting up a loan fund to be handled by the student loan office, three voting machines, an east gate memorial, and a scoreboard for Kyle Field. The class has about $1,500 to spend for a gift. ♦ If the committee on the class gift thinks there is a need for a run-off after the election, one will be held in the near future . The class also accepted a consti tution. The constitution must be approved by the dean of men. Aft er it is approved by the administra tive officials, it will be official. If any changes are made, it will have to be ratified again by the class. Copies of the constitution were given to those present at the meet ing. The constitution committee is headed by Harold Kupler. Balt Editors Take Over; Name Staff Bob Boriskie, junior journ alism major from Bryan, and Harri Baker, junior journalism major from Memphis, Tenn., took over today as editors of The Battalion. They were elected in a speci al election Wednesday. Bor iskie, who will be non-corps editor, received 71 votes. Baker, who will be corps editor, received 151 votes. Staff positions appointed by the new editors include Jon Kinslow as managing editor, Cuhck Neighbors as sports ed itor, and George Manitzas as city editor. Defense Officials flea rMorga n 9 Da vis President David H. Morgan and Col. Joe E. Davis, commandant, conferred Friday with defense de partment officials on the new armed forces reserve program now being drafted. Morgan and Davis presented their ideas on ROTC training to Pentagon officials. Several weeks ago, Morgan asked the officals to consider giving military colleges special pi’iviliges, including in creased subsistence pay, assurance of commissions, and unlimited en rollment quotas. Morgan said last night that he could not release the results of his meetings with the military of ficials. According to the Associated Press, Rep. Olin Teague of College Station said Friday that the armed services expect to have a new ROTC program ready to submit to President Eisenhower in April. Morgan and Davis attended a meeting of A&M former students in the Washington area Thursday night. Harold Dunn of Amarillo, presi dent of the Shamrock Oil company and head of the Former Students association, flew a group of per sons to the meeting in Washington. They included Chancellor M. T. Harrington, A. F. Mitchell, D. E. McQuillen, O. T. Hotchkiss, Charles Babcock, and J. B. (Dick) Hervey, secretary of the FSA. Mrs. Robert Anderson Dies in Houston HOUSTON, March 23—(A>)_Mrs. Robert Anderson, 25, died yester day in a Texas Medical Center Hospital. She had been ill about a year. The former Mary Munnerlyn, Mrs. Anderson was a native of Bryan. Her husband and a young son survive. (Composite Ball F eatures Western-Style Costumes Costumes representing the plantation attire of the old South west will be the main feature of the First Composite Regimental ball Saturday. Clothing such as boots and spurs, plantation attire and other costumes representing the South west will be worn. Both freshmen and upperclassmen of the first composite regiment will attend. Free soft drinks will be served. The Fish ball will be held Fri day. Freshmen are excused from call to quai’ters Friday night for the dance and are free on pass from Saturday noon to 8:30 a. m. Sunday. “We have not decided on a orchestra for either dance yet but we will have one by Thursday,” said James Goode, freshman class vice president. The Composite ball is designed to get away Horn the routine dances and give the Aggies and their dates something different, said Vic Kennedy, commander of the first composite regiment. “It will be the first ball of its type here at A&M. One of its pur poses is to demonstrate the ability of freshman and upperclassmen to work together. I think it will help to consolidate the corps,” said Kennedy. Abbott To Speak To Gulf Engineers Dr. J. P. Abbott, dean of the col lege, Texas A&M College, will speak Mai-ch 23 on “Trends in Engineering Education” at the re cently organized Gulf Coast chap ter of the Texas Society of Profes sional Engineers in Fr-eeport. He is a member of the executive committee of the humanistic-so cial division of the American So ciety for Engineering Education. He will discuss the preliminary re port of the Society’s Committee on the Evaluation of Engineering Education. Thomas Honored At Livestock Show Dick Thomas, sophomore animal husbandry major from Banquete, was grand champion showman at the Little Couthwestern Livestock show Saturday. By placing class, Thomas com peted with three other fii’st place winners to be judged champion showman of the swine show. Saturday night the champion showman of the swine, horse, sheep and beef cattle shows competed for the grand champion showman of the show. Thomas won and re ceived a certificate for a hand made pair of boots to be made at Holicks Boot Shop. Before entering A&M, Thomas was member of the Nueces county 4H club. Traditions Book Written Jimmy Tyree, chairman of the traditions committee, reported that a book has been drawn up and is now being readied for printing. The book will be called the “Ca dence.” “The new book is much like the old ‘Cadence’ but there is nothing in it that can be called hazing,” Tyree said. “The book contains such things as uniform privileges, yells and Aggie slang.” Pat Wood, president of the class, said they will have a book which will be accepted by the administra tion, the military, and the corps. On a motion by Fred Mitchell, a stag senior function was author ized. Details of the function will be handled by the social secretary, and it will not be held on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Grass Problems Discussed A motion was made to reinstate the tradition that would make it a senior privilege to walk on the grass. It was felt that such a regulation was needed because of the landscaping being done around the Academic building. Mitchell then explained that a path was being cut in the esplanade between the dormitories in the new area. He said this path was being made by students in dormitories two and four who were eating in Duncan dining hall. “The few seniors that walk on this gi'ass don’t hurt it too much,” he said. “It’s mainly the students in dormitories two and four.” Tyree said that there was no way to prevent the non-military students from walking on the grass. However, he said he thought the matter “could be handled by common courtesy because we don’t want to destroy the grass.” Mitchell added, “It is the duty of the cadet officers to protect col lege property, and the grass is college property.” The matter was referred to a committee. The class also heard a report from the Student Life committee. Miss Jane McBrierty, Aggie sweet heart, was chosen as senior class duchess for the Cotton ball. Air Force Sets ‘Jockey I fop’ As Annual Ball The Jet Jockey Hop will be held in the Grove April 24. It is this year’s version of the Air Force ball and will carry the theme, “Every Man a Tiger.” The dance will be in formal. Eddie Thompson has been ap pointed to head the dance commit tee. Hollie Briscoe and Phil Ja cobs will be in charge of the tick ets. The programs will be pre pared by Duane Scott and Joe Warrick. Bill Wiseman and Jim Burns will handle the decorations and Phil Orr will be in charge of guests. The publicity will be directed by Mel Holubec and John C. Akard. A sweetheart for the air force will be selected at the dance. Burt Holdsworth and Terry Wilson are in charge of the sweetheart con test. Col. John A. Way, PAS&T, and Pete Hardesty, assistant director of student activities, are the ad visors for the committees. Slide Rule Contest Set for Thursday About 80 contestants are expect ed for the 26th annual slide rule contest at 8 a. m. Thursday in the electrical engineering lecture room. The 50-minute contest will con sist of 60 problems, judged on both speed and accuracy. “It is possible for a contestant to finish in the time available”, said J. H. Caddess, chairman of the contest, “but never has the first man to finish also made the highest score.” He said contestants should go fast, but also be accurate. The contestants are in the top 10 per cent of their slide rule classes. Besides 20 plaques to be present ed to the winners of the contest, each entry will receive a com mendation from the head of his department and a cast aluminium souvenior of the contest. Contestants who must miss a class to participate in the contest will be given official excuses. School Election Is In Progress Now Absentee balloting for two mem bers of the A&M Consolidated School Board of Trustees is now in progi-ess, with the election to be held Saturday, April 3. Running in the election are Henry L. Allen and E. E. Brown, both present members of the school board. The absentee balloting, under the direction of J. J. Skrivanek, high school principal, will continue until March 31. Petitions for placing names on the ballot must be filed by today with election judge P. L. Downs Jr. R. E. Leighton is also running for re-election Consolidated repre- sentitive to the Brazos County School board. Members of the school board whose terms do not expire this year are C. A. Bonnen, J. S. Rogers, Milton Williams, Ernest J. Redman jr. and Donald M. Vestal jr. NEW CO-EDITORS—Bob Boriskie, left, and Harri Baker, right, were named Battalion co-editors in a special election Wednesday. They assume their duties with this issue of the paper. Both are junior journalism majors. AGE WINS VICTORY CHARLESTON, W. Va.—GP)— When a man from an isolated sec tion of the county came in to pay his taxes, he put down two of the “blanket” style $20 bills which the government took out of circulation back in 1933. The young fellow behind the cashier’s window, a mere lad of 25 or so, eyed the bills skeptically. Called in for consultation, Chief Tax Deputy Ansel Umberger said: “Nothing wwong with those notes, they’re just a little aged,” and swept them into the till. The taxpayer triumphantly pock eted his receipt and swaggered away.